MONIKA

World Link Volunteer For: Cuba

International Experience: Study Abroad

Program of Study: Medial in Environmental Studies and Global Development Studies

Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, Basic French

It had been my dream for a long time to travel to Cuba and when the opportunity came to do a study semester in Havana I was thrilled! I had always been in love with the culture, the music, the language and the history and being a student there seemed to be the perfect way to immerse myself in these things. What encouraged me the most to take part in this academic adventure was definitely the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom which I took full advantage of and found very rewarding.

The thing that surprised me the most about Cuba was the fact that it was so different from any place I had ever been. This was evident in the politics (which influenced social organization and values), inaccessibility to forms of communication (phones, internet, mail, etc), their passionate and awe-worthy history, rich musical and cultural values and so much more. All of these influences were especially apparent in my interactions with Cuban people which helped me both understand and respect those differences.

As amazing as the experience was, there were many challenges that made living in Cuba quite difficult at times. The most difficult part was definitely the language barrier which was an obstacle both academically and socially. With only a basic understanding of the Spanish language it was hard to have all of my lectures, exams, presentations, essays and thesis completely in Spanish as well as the fact that hardly anyone spoke English including teachers, my host family and other students. Overcoming this challenge proved to be a great reward and my Spanish language skills improved greatly over the course of the semester.

One of the coolest opportunities about studying abroad was the fact that there were so many places surrounding Havana that were great to travel to on weekends (when the workload wasn’t too steep!). These small travels were such a great way for me to try new things like zip lining through the rainforest, sailing on the Caribbean, sleeping in treehouses, ‘Cuban style’ camping, swimming in caves, weekend-long horseback riding excursions and so much more! The best part about travelling through Cuba was definitely the opportunity to meet new people and form amazing friendships, all of which I have maintained since returning to Canada.

If I could have brought anything back with me from Cuba it would have definitely been the music and the dancing. There is such a wonderful emphasis on music in Cuba and when walking through the streets of Havana is not uncommon to hear the sounds of salsa, rumba, son or reggaeton being played by passionate musicians or blasting from 1950’s cars. Of course, wherever there is music there is dancing and the movements that accompany these beats are incredible to watch and participate in!

The best advice for someone who is thinking about studying in Cuba would be to have an open mind and lots of patience! Experiencing a life that is completely different than the one you left behind can be very frustrating at times, yet it can be extremely worthwhile if you have a positive attitude and are able to roll with whatever comes your way. I would say brush up on your Spanish, buy a guide book, pack lots of hot sauce, bring a backpack for travelling and be ready for the experience of a lifetime!